Congress votes to designate bison as national mammal

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Congress votes to designate bison as national mammal

BY MATTHEW DALY and MATTHEW BROWN 1 hr ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — The bison could soon become the national mammal of the United States.

Legislation approved by Congress would elevate the bison's stature to approach that of the bald eagle, long the national emblem. There has not been an official mammal of the United States.

Lawmakers called the bison the embodiment of American strength and resilience and said it reflects the nation's pioneer spirit.

Bison, also known as buffalo, were central to many Native American cultures and were on the verge of extinction before revival efforts established herds on national refuges and parks.

Tens of millions of bison once thundered across a range stretching from central Canada through the Great Plains and northern Mexico. Now about 30,000 wild bison roam the country, with the largest population in Yellowstone National Park.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/national/congress-votes-to-designate-bison-as-national-mammal/article_23b93138-2dc8-568a-a01d-43e1964e5626.html

[Wilms]

1. Have they asked the bison how they feel about that?

[2naSalit]

3. I don't think they need to

the bison have been under attack around here for decades, because ranchers want the grass for cows. It's about time they were truly protected. This is a really good thing.

You can find out just about everything you could want to know about why this is such and issue and how it took decades to get here...

http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/

Be warned, some of the images found on the site are horribly graphic but absolutely true.

[Wilms]

5. Ya know, mine was a pretty thought-less comment.

I completely walked by the protection the designation would offer.

Thanks for the tune-up!

[2naSalit]

6. It's okay

I'm just thrilled that this is finally happening, it's going on right out there in my front yard so I'm happy that the "buffalo hippies" - as the town folks call them - are finally winning the long battle.

We all need a little lightheartedness right about now, I'm just sensitive about wildlife issues and this is a big one.

[pipoman]

2. They are delicious too....

[2naSalit]

4. Way better than beef

in a whole bunch of ways but the taste is much better than beef.